To understand
sentence structure, you first need to understand what makes a complete sentence. A sentence is
a group of words that expresses a complete thought. In general, a sentence needs a subject
(noun or pronoun) and a predicate (verb). But not all groups of
words
with subjects and predicates are sentences.
A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate
and is used in a sentence. A main, or independent, clause is a clause that can stand
alone as a sentence.
Every sentence needs to have at least one main clause. Some sentences
have more than one main clause. Read the sentences below. In each of the examples, both clauses could
stand alone, so both clauses are main clauses.
This was the first time she
had skied, and she felt her knees shaking.
A subordinate, or
dependent, clause also has a subject and a predicate. However, it cannot stand alone as a
sentence.
A subordinate clause must be attached to a main clause. Otherwise, it will not make
sense. Subordinate clauses often begin with a subordinating conjunction (such as
“since,” “because,” or “when”) or relative pronouns (such as
“who,” “which,” or “that”).
When the subordinate clause
comes first, a comma separates it from the main clause.
Sometimes the subordinate clause comes between the subject and the
verb of the main clause.
Simple and Compound Sentences
A simple sentence has
only one main clause. It does not have any subordinate clauses.
A simple sentence may have a
compound subject and/or a compound verb. It may also have adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases,
appositives, and verbal phrases. Sometimes a simple sentence may seem anything but simple! Just
remember, as long as a sentence has only one main clause and no subordinate clauses, it is a simple
sentence.
A compound sentence has two or more main clauses and no subordinate clauses.
These clauses may be separated by a comma and a conjunction (such as “and,”
“but,” “nor,” “yet,” “so,” or “for”). Or,
these clauses may be separated by a semicolon (;) and no
conjunction.
Remember that all main clauses can stand alone as sentences. If
you have a sentence with two clauses, and when you separate them, each clause
can stand alone as a complete sentence, you have a compound sentence.
Complex and Compound-Complex
Sentences
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate
clauses.
A compound-complex sentence has more than one main clause and at least one subordinate
clause.
As you write, be sure that every sentence contains at least on main clause. A
subordinate clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence. If you try to use subordinate clauses as
sentences, your writing will be confusing for the reader.
Links for Students,
Parents and Teachers
Now let's do Practice
Exercise 12-1 (top).
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Understand Sentence Construction (top)
